O-Tackle Abele is a Hot Prospect

Brandon Huffman

12/16/2008

The 6-6, 250-pound offensive tackle prospect, Nik Abele, from Irvine (Calif.) High, has gone from no scholarship offers, to double-digit offers and taking official visit to Pac-10 schools all in a matter of months...

Irvine (Calif.) offensive tackle Nik Abele (6-6, 250) continues to see his stock rise, with his offer sheet now into double-digits.

Abele took his second official visit this past weekend, taking a trip to Arizona State.

"It went pretty good out there. It's a pretty cool school and the campus was a big campus. There is a lot of stuff to do out there," said Abele.

Abele was hosted by another offensive lineman who hails from the Southland, Garth Gerhart.

"Garth was my host and we got along well," said Abele. "All of the guys were pretty nice guys and there were a lot of guys on their visits there."

Abele also spent time talking with offensive line coach Gregg Smith and head coach Dennis Erickson. "They really seem to know a lot and both are good coaches," said Abele. "They want me to come in and play tackle."

Previously, Abele visited Colorado. He has a visit set for this weekend and two more official trips set for January with an unofficial visit also expected to be added on.

"I'm going to Utah this next weekend, then in January I'm going to UCLA on the 9th and then Oregon State on the 16th. I'm probably going to do something with Cal. I'll probably be taking an unofficial visit there."

Abele said he doesn't have a leader for his services, all schools being equal, but that his top six are Arizona State, Cal, Colorado, Oregon State, UCLA and Utah. "I don't really have a leader yet, and I probably won't until after all of my trips," said Abele.

The two-way lineman first made his name as a defensive end at the USC Rising Stars Camp but it appears his future will be on offense.

"Colorado and Utah said I could try out at defense and I like defense more, it's more fun to me," said Abele. "But mostly people want me as an offensive tackle so that's probably where I'll end up."